Chapter 13
Aurelia skillfully avoided Jason’s touch with a smile.
Luckily, once the dishes arrived, a natural distance was created between them.
Aurelia attempted to find an entry point, “Mr. Lynch, I...”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
Jason ate his food and interrupted her, “This dish is excellent, Ms. Simmons. Give it a try.” “This one is good too.”
Jason continued eating, paying no attention to Aurelia.
Aurelia immediately grasped Jason’s intention.
He had no intention of discussing work and was deliberately making things difficult.
Her expression tightened for a moment, but she quickly adjusted herself.
Taking a sip of juice, she said, “Mr. Lynch, if you like it, and if it's not enough, | can ask the waiter to bring more for you.” Jason hesitated, casting a brief look at Aurelia after her words.
Aurelia refrained from further words and instead smiled as she picked up a dish for Jason, explaining each course as if her sole purpose was to have dinner with him.
Leslie, sitting at a nearby table, caught her cheerful demeanor. Leslie didn’t pay much attention when he received a message from Aurelia.
However, as he prepared to leave, curiosity got the better of him about how Aurelia would handle Jason, given Jason’s infamous tactics.
Despite Leslie’s internal fluctuation of emotions, he wondered if she had forgotten about their marriage. She went to such lengths to ingratiate herself with a stranger, all to take a shortcut. It seemed. crude. Leslie, gripping the porcelain cup, emitted a soft creaking sound.
His assistant, Daniel, glanced at him and whispered, “This woman is quite bold. She can be so enthusiastic with a stranger. It seems Jason is in for a treat tonight.”
Leslie's teacup landed on the table with a thud, startling Daniel.
“Mr. Synder, is there something wrong with the tea?”
“It’s terrible. Let’s go.”
Leslie stood up. His lowered lashes hid his unreadable emotions. Daniel found the situation inexplicable. Did he say something wrong? Jason, at the other table, had finished his dinner with Aurelia.
Thinking that Jason would have no reason to interrupt her, Aurelia said, “Mr. Lynch, can we now discuss the details of our collaboration?”
Jason stared at Aurelia’s natural face. It was without heavy makeup, and it exuded a delicate charm.
However, her tone was anything but charming. It was direct and firm. Unlike Kimberly, she remained composed. Narrowing his eyes, he let out a light chuckle.
“Take it easy. I’ve got a pot of tea on the way to freshen up our taste buds. We can relax, sip at our own pace, and chat at leisure.”
Aurelia maintained her smile, nodding calmly yet resignedly.
When the tea arrived, Aurelia politely stood up to pour, but to her surprise, Jason reached for the teapot’s handle at the same time.
His hand covered hers. Aurelia instinctively tried to retract her hand, but Jason tightened his grip, even smiling at her.
“Ms. Simmons, your hands are so cold. Is the air conditioning too cold here? Let’s sit a bit closer. That way, we can discuss work more clearly, don’t you think?”
Having spoken, Jason moved his entire body closer to Aurelia.
Aurelia understood Jason’s implications. He was hinting that she needed to make a sacrifice if she wanted to discuss work. “You've got it wrong. Please let go.”
Aurelia clenched her teeth to resist the urge to strike him.
Jason didn’t let go. Instead, he even brushed his fingers against Aurelia’s hand.
“Drop the act. You know why you came alone. You and Kimberly are the same, but | like you.
more.”
“Let go!” Aurelia warned, angered.
“Well, you've got a bit of a spark. | like that.”
Jason leaned in closer to Aurelia.
Feeling her breath hitch, Aurelia quickly grabbed the hot teapot and scalded Jason’s hand.
“Ah!” Jason exclaimed, shaking off the unwanted touch.
The surrounding people glanced over. He was unable to retaliate. He could only grit his teeth and glare at Aurelia.
Aurelia held onto the teapot, asserting, “Jason, please show some restraint. | do hope to collaborate with your company, but it doesn’t mean I'll sell myself. If you persist, I'll call the police. No workplace tolerates harassment, no matter how big the company.”
Jason stared at her momentarily, then erupted, “Are you threatening me? You?”
“| wouldn’t dare. But when people are pushed to the limit, they would do anything.”
Aurelia met his gaze firmly.
Jason squinted. He chuckled and said, “I see. You're afraid your husband will find out, huh?
This matter will stay between us. Your husband won't know. This way, our cooperation can proceed smoothly. Otherwise, I'll have to bid you farewell. Don’t accuse me of mistreating a woman later.”
Aurelia tightened her grip on the teapot and immediately stood up.
“Mr. Lynch, | apologize, but | won’t betray my husband. It seems you'll be savoring this tea on your own.” With that, she intentionally pressed the teapot forcefully onto his hand and walked out without looking back. Behind her, Jason wailed in pain, still muttering curses.
Disregarding him, Aurelia briskly left the restaurant. She despised such dirty tactics and was determined to prove she could surpass Kimberly without stooping to such levels.
Aurelia headed towards the subway station. But as she lifted her foot, someone forcefully bumped into her from behind. In a moment of stumbling, she managed to steady herself by gripping a pillar. She turned around to scold the person and was shocked to see that it was Jason.
The demeanor of Jason now was completely different from the sleazy one before. He was sweating profusely, and his face was filled with urgency.
“What? Wasn’t the expected delivery date supposed to be next month? How was it suddenly brought forward?” “She fell? Excessive bleeding?”
“Doctor, save my wife! You save her first! Don’t mind the child!”
“I'm coming! I’m coming...”
The more Jason spoke, the more his body shook. His phone slipped from his trembling hand, crashing onto the ground. Hearing this, Aurelia quickly stepped forward to support Jason.
“Mr. Lynch, are you okay?”
“L... [need you to take me to the maternity hospital. My legs are weak, and | can’t drive,” Jason said weakly. Aurelia was momentarily stunned.
If it weren’t for recognizing Jason's face, she would have doubted her sanity after his earlier
behavior.
It was evident that Jason deeply cared for his wife, who was experiencing premature labor.
However, Aurelia couldn’t fathom his previous actions towards her.
Without dwelling on it, Aurelia heard Jason mention severe bleeding from the expectant mother, indicating a critical situation., She offered support, asking, “Where are the car keys?”
Leaning on Aurelia, Jason, with trembling hands, pointed towards his pocket.
Aurelia retrieved the keys, pressed a button around, and saw the car lights flash.
Urgently, she assisted Jason to the vehicle.
As they approached, a Maybach pulled away from the scene.
Inside, Daniel exclaimed, “Jason! Is this woman incredible, or what? She’s already embracing Jason and riding in the same car! Wasn't Jason strictly monitored by his wife? What kind of magic did she use on him?”
Daniel felt a chilling shiver down his spine as the words left his mouth.
Glancing through the rearview mirror, he noticed Leslie's cold gaze on the duo outside the car.
“Mr. Synder, should | go remind Jason?”
“Never mind.”
Leslie’s voice was cold and stern as he withdrew his gaze. His expression was unreadable.
Daniel didn’t dare to meet Leslie’s eyes momentarily, hastily stepping on the gas to leave.
Aurelia accompanied Jason to the maternity hospital.
When they got out of the car, Jason’s face was pale. His footsteps were unsteady.
Concerned, Aurelia followed him.
Jason, listening to the doctor's explanation outside the operating room, couldn’t stand straight.
“Mr. Lynch, your wife is experiencing severe bleeding. She is still in surgery, but we've run out of blood bags. Earlier this evening, there was a bus accident on the outskirts, and the blood from the blood bank was sent to them. We're arranging for more blood; please be patient.”
The doctor frowned. The situation didn’t look optimistic.
Jason's face became paler. He was about to collapse.
“Take my blood! Take my blood! You must save my wife!”
“Are you blood type B?” the doctor asked.
“I-l'm not.”
Aurelia, witnessing Jason’s distress, couldn’t bear it and said, “I am. | can donate blood.”
Jason was too overwhelmed to speak.
Aurelia reassured him, “Mr. Lynch, focus on saving your wife.”
After saying that, she followed the nurse to donate blood.
Standing up after the donation, she felt lightheaded, but the nurse supported her outside the operating room. Jason rushed over when he saw her.
“Ms. Simmons, are you okay?
“I'm fine. | just need a moment to rest.”
Aurelia sat down, rubbing her dizzy head.
After a while, the operating room lights dimmed, and the doctor came out.
“Mr. Lynch, congratulations. Both mother and daughter are safe. Luckily, the blood arrived in time.”
“Thank you, doctor.”